Christmas weekend 2023: What’s open, what’s closed in the Halifax area

Forget to grab a gift for someone or an ingredient for your holiday feast? Time’s ticking. 

Here’s a list of what’s open and what’s closed across the Halifax region over the holidays.

If you need groceries: 

• Most grocery stores including Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys, Walmart and Costco will be open on Christmas Eve, but will close for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• Gateway Meat Market in Dartmouth will be closing at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas Day. The store will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Boxing Day. 
• Kingswood Market in Hammonds Plains will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Christmas Day. 

If you want wine, beer or other spirited beverages:

• NSLC stores will be close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 
• Most craft beverage producers will have their taprooms and/or storefronts will be open over the holidays. 

Drug stores: Most pharmacies and drug stores will be open over the holidays. 

Malls and retail: Major retailers and shopping centres such as the Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall will close early (5 p.m.) on Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas and Boxing Day. 

Halifax Public Libraries: All branches will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

Getting around by bus, ferry or car: Buses will run on a holiday schedule for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Ferries, however, will not be operating on Dec. 25. The Alderney ferry will be up and running on a holiday schedule on Dec. 26, but there will be no Woodside ferry that day. 

Tolls will also be free for both bridges on Christmas Day. 

Parking: On-street paid parking will be free on Monday and Tuesday, however, motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage such as no-parking zones. 

Waste collection: There will be no collection services on Dec. 25. Instead, garbage and recyclables will be picked up on Saturday, Dec. 23. 

The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. 

Recreational facilities and services: Most municipally operated recreation facilities in Halifax Regional Municipality will be “operating on irregular schedules” between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.

Custom contact centres: HRM’s 311 contact centre, as well as its customer service centres will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. 

Canada Post: There will be no collection or delivery of mail by Canada Post on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Post offices will also be closed.